Web Series Cast Member Found Dead, With ‘Blunt Trauma’ Evidence

A transgender woman who was a cast member on a Web series was found dead Tuesday evening, with her body showing evidence of "blunt trauma," reports KNBC.com, citing a coroner’s report.

The victim, Domonique Newburn, 32, was a member of the cast of the Web series "Hollywood House Boys." Production on the series was halted after four episodes were made in 2010, but production had recently restarted.

Friends of Newburn, whose body was found in an apartment in Fontana, Calif., said they think her killing was a hate crime.

Ryan Hope, the Web series creator, said in a statement: "We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of our sister, Domonique Newburn. Domonique was an amazing person [whose] spirit transcended gender. When we set out to document or lives for reality-television, we never once wished to make headlines like this. Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with her family."

Investigators found evidence of a struggle both inside the house and outside, according to a police detective. Witnesses reported seeing a man leaving the home in the victim’s car, the story says, with the car later found in a park about 13 miles from where Newburn’s body was found.